Do you know... about our adoption program?

• All of our pets are sterilized prior to adoption. They also receive vaccinations; worming; tests for diseases such as heartworms, feline leukemia, and feline AIDS.


• When pets are spayed or neutered at the animal shelter they are tattooed with their shelter identification number. This provides a permanent ID for the pet that the shelter can look up, and lets community vets know the animal is sterilized.


• When you adopt a dog from the animal shelter you can attend four free dog obedience classes on consecutive Saturday afternoons to help you train your new pet and to learn how to deal with basic behavior issues. Classes are taught by a volunteer from the Oklahoma City Dog Obedience Training Club!


• Volunteers provide a “Head Start” program for adoptable dogs, teaching them basic good manners. They train dogs to sit, stay, stay down, and to walk on a leash. Basic training makes dogs more manageable and helps them get adopted.


• We frequently have other companion animals and livestock for adoption, such as gerbils, hamsters, Guinea pigs, rabbits, reptiles, birds and more.

Do you know... about our community partnerships and volunteers?

• A local groomer has provided free grooming services to more than 6,000 shelter pets over the past 25 years. A long-time volunteer provides the transportation to and from the groomer once or twice a week. Our adoption pets are lucky AND beautiful!


• We have a list of community veterinarians who provide free health exams for adopted shelter pets within 72 hours of adoption. Booster vaccinations, additional wormings, and other services are extra, but the free health exam is a valuable opportunity to get your pet on a routine medical care schedule.


• The Division is working with Partners for Animal Welfare of Oklahoma (PAW) to improve the lives of owned and sheltered pets. This partnership resulted in the creation of the first off-leash dog park near Lake Hefner.


• Dogs and cats four months and older must be vaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian and must wear their rabies tags at all times. Owner-administered vaccinations are not recognized as valid.


• The City shelter has an official policy of working toward a “no-kill” future for placeable animals by 2010. “Placeable” animals are defined as 8 weeks or older with a reasonably sound temperament and having reasonably good health.


• Our Animal Welfare Officers take their roles in public safety and animal welfare seriously. They work with owners, complainants and other agencies to resolve problems and protect people and animals. They are commissioned officers with the power of arrest, using it primarily to bring animal abusers to justice.


• Oklahoma City has a zero tolerance for both cruelty to animals and animal neglect.  Violators can be arrested and/or cited, and their neglected or cruelly-treated pets can be confiscated.  Officers try an educational approach first in most cases, but serious cases of cruelty or neglect, or failure to adhere to Officer directives to provide humane care, will result in prosecution and pet confiscation.